Interfaith Ministries joins effort to share extra food with needy

Interfaith Ministries Inc. has joined the AmpleHarvest.org campaign, a nationwide effort to enable neighborhood food pantries to be easily located by local backyard gardeners wishing to share their excess bounties with neighbors in need. With one in six American families now relying on pantries to feed them, the pantries often have a hard time meeting the demand. At the same time, millions of backyard gardeners across America frequently find that their vegetable, fruit, herb and nut gardens provide far more produce than they can possibly use or share with friends. The remainder is often either left to rot in the garden or put into the trash, which is a tremendous waste of nutritious food.

The AmpleHarvest.org website enables food pantries to register their name, phone, address and day and time they can accept the gardeners' produce.

Now that Interfaith is part of the AmpleHarvest.org campaign, area gardeners will be able to quickly find the pantry. Interfaith welcomes fresh produce donations for its clients. Additionally, information will be posted on the site by the pantry listing those store-bought items that are in short supply.

For information, call Interfaith at 322-1365 or go to AmpleHarvest.org.

A little 'Hairspray'

Wichita Theatre has been transformed into the "Corny Collins Show" as "Hairspray" takes the stage this month. It's on the show that teenager Tracy Turnblad gets her big break, but she has to overcome being treated differently than the other dancers because of her size. A cast of about 50 brings the Broadway musical to life Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through July 23.

Tickets are $13.50 to $18.50 for adults and $8 for children. The theater is located at 10th and Indiana. For information, call 723-9037.

Busy at the YMCA

Registration is under way for an exciting week of gymnastics and tumbling. Kids ages 5 and older are invited to sign up for the YMCA Super Gymnastics camp July 18-22. From 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., kids will receive instruction in gymnastics and tumbling as well as play games.

Members pay $40 and nonmembers pay $60.

The YMCA also is offering sprint distance triathlon training July 18 through Sept. 9. For eight weeks, participants will work out from 5:45 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The workouts will incorporate all three components of a triathlon — swimming, cycling and running. A "Y Tri" triathlon is scheduled for Sept. 10. All cycling will be done on spinning bikes, so no bikes or helmets are required to participate.

If you sign up on Monday, the cost is $50 for YMCA members and $80 for nonmembers. After Monday, the cost is $60 for members and $90 for nonmembers.

For more information about the YMCA programs, call 761-1000.

Back to the '80s

Backdoor Theatre takes audiences back in time with its summer youth musical "Back to the '80s." The musical will enjoy its last weekend with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are $15 and $13. The theater is located at 501 Indiana. For more information, call Backdoor at 322-5000.

Send suggestions for features in Around the Town to Sarah Johnson at pryor@wf.net.